Comfortable hiking shoes

As any experienced hiker knows, comfortable hiking shoes are a must. While you need walking shoes to provide grip and stability, there's nothing like uncomfortable footwear to make or break your enjoyment. At Columbia Sportswear®, we boast an impressive range of hiking shoes for men and women that offer superior comfort and support. As a leading hiking brand, we combine innovative technologies, durable materials and our hiking expertise to create all-terrain shoes and mountain shoes that support and cushion your feet for all types of outdoor adventure. Our wide selection ensures something for every foot so you can hike comfortably on any terrain.

Whether you prefer casual, short hikes on flat terrain or relish challenging hikes on rocky, steep or uneven ground, comfort is key! You are constantly on your feet during a hike, which puts a lot of pressure on your feet. Not only can this cause blisters, but some hikers develop plantar fasciitis, which causes pain around the arch and heel of your foot. While they may look like sneakers, hiking boots or hiking sandals for men, they have key features that make them stand out:

• Comfort technologies: Techlite™ Plush is our impressive foam cushioning technology that provides unbeatable comfort. When paired with our hiking socks, it absorbs shock every time your foot hits the ground, reducing strain on your feet and joints. It also supports the natural, comfortable movement of the foot as it rolls from heel to toe during hiking.
• Waterproof: A quick way for your walking shoes to feel uncomfortable is for them to get wet inside. To maximise your comfort during a hike, look for waterproof hiking shoes with our OutDry™ or Omni-Shield™ waterproofing technologies. These prevent water from penetrating the shoe, while the breathable material allows sweat to escape from inside. When choosing your next pair of footwear, use our filters to select your preferred waterproofing level, ranging from none to heavy rain.
• Grip and traction: Sliding around on slick surfaces or stumbling over rocky ground can cause you to fall, leading to potentially serious injuries. Comfortable light hiking shoes with our Adapt Trax™ rubber outsole provide exceptional traction and grip both on wet and dry surfaces.
• Stability: Not only do your comfortable shoes need to provide stability on the terrain, but your feet should be secure inside without slipping. Navic Fit™ is our footwear technology that provides locked-in comfort. It ensures that your heel is secure in place in the shoe for maximum stability and comfort when walking or fast hiking.
• Warmth: We want you to enjoy the great outdoors no matter the weather, even in chilly climates. Our comfortable footwear includes winter shoes designed to keep your feet cosy and your toes toasty. Combined with 200 grams of fleece-like thermal insulation, our Omni-Heat™ Infinity reflective lining retains every bit of warmth your body produces.

Getting ready for your next hike? Make sure you have the right hiking jacket for the job. Check out our range of waterproof and fleece options.

The right size hiking shoe will typically be the same as your regular shoe size. Don't be tempted to go up a half or a whole size when choosing the right hiking shoe size. If a hiking boot is too big, it could cause rubbing and your feet sliding around in the shoe. You want your footwear to fit closely around the middle of your foot and your toes should have wiggle room. For those who prefer wide options, you’ll find options in multiple widths to guarantee optimal comfort. Don’t know your shoe size? Don’t worry. You can measure it and refer to our online men’s and women’s hiking shoes sizing guide. Simply draw around your foot on a piece of paper or mark the tip of your big toe and the back of your heel. Repeat for the other foot and then use a ruler to measure between the heel and the tip of your big toe.

Even with great-fitting footwear, your feet need to get used to them. Taking the time to break in hiking footwear will pay dividends, especially during those longer, more challenging hikes. Lightweight, low hiking shoes may not need any break-in time, while more sturdy men's and women's hiking boots may require a few weeks. Both suede and leather hiking boots may need time to soften up and sync with your feet (and vice versa). Here are some simple ways to break in new hiking shoes:

• Wear your new shoes around the house (while wearing your hiking socks)
• Take a walk around the block to make sure your shoes feel good.
• Hit the trail on a fairly easy day hike before taking your shoes on a more challenging trek.
• Gradually increase your distance and the weight of your backpack as you go through each phase.

Your feet deserve the best. Keep them happy every step of the trail with a pair of comfortable hiking shoes in a range of styles from Columbia Sportswear®. We offer sandals, mountain hiking shoes and waterproof shoes for men. Explore our collection of hiking clothes for women and men and gear up for your next adventure.

Discover more:

• Hiking boot size
• Choose hiking shoes
• Type of hiking
• Choose a type of shoe for hiking
• Hiking tips
• Hiking soles